Associate Director/Director Procurement

Alentis Therapeutics, the Claudin-1 Company, is on a mission to treat cancer and reverse fibrosis. To this end, we are rapidly advancing a clinical pipeline of anti-Claudin-1 monoclonal antibodies. Our team is committed to unlocking the broad potential of our therapeutic target Claudin-1 and bringing much-needed medicines to patients suffering from solid tumors as well as kidney, liver, and lung fibrosis.

The (Associate) Director Procurement, reporting to the EVP Program Management & Operations, is responsible for overseeing all sourcing and purchasing activities with a primary focus on acquisitions of specialized services rather than goods. The position aligns with strategic goals, optimizes costs, maintains quality standards and fosters strong relationships with service providers and, therefore, plays a critical role in securing reliable external partners to deliver services that support business success.

Procurement Planning

• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with business objectives and befitting a small, private biotechnology company.
• Monitor market trends and identify cost-saving opportunities and innovative sourcing options.
• Leads the vendor selection process (Clinical, Pre-clinical, CMC) together with the project team, QA, IT and other relevant groups within Alentis

Supplier Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers.
• Negotiate contracts, work orders, amendments and ensure favorable terms and conditions (e.g. discount schemes)
• Monitoring supplier performance against time, quality, GxP and ESG compliance

Operational Oversight

• Lead procurement operations and ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Control costs, incl. verifying invoices against contractual agreements
• Ensures purchase orders (POs) are entered into on a timely basis and invoices are matched to POs
• Partner with Finance and program management to ensure in-budget / out-of-budget items for programs are properly triaged
• Oversee tendering, contract award processes, and dispute resolution (together with legal function).

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with finance, operations, legal, IT and R&D
• Support budgeting, forecasting, expense accrual, and other key corporate processes.

Risk and Compliance

• Identify and mitigate procurement risks.
• Ensure adherence to ethical standards and regulatory compliance in all procurement practices.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain, Life Sciences, or related
• 7+ years of procurement experience, with at least 3 years in life sciences. Strong preference will be given to candidates who have working experience in a small biotech environment.
• Proven success in strategic sourcing, vendor negotiations, and procurement transformation.
• Ability to provide hands-on service while working on process design and overall strategy for Alentis’ procurement of goods and services.
• Strong understanding of R&D and clinical operations procurement needs
• Strategic thinking and financial acumen
• Strong negotiation skills and sound judgment
• High attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Fluency in English and German; French is an asset
• A proactive, business-minded, and solution-oriented approach
• Collaborative team spirit, integrity, resilience, and a global mindset
• Demonstrated flexibility in responding to changing priorities or dealing with unexpected events
• Capability in handling multiple priorities and balance work to achieve business goals
• Demonstrated ability to generate innovative solutions to problems and effectively work with and communicate with key stakeholders
• Experience with PO and billing / invoicing systems
• Proficient computer skills, upside is familiarity with Prendio and NetsuiteFlexible, proactive and able to work independently with a problem-solving attitude in a multi-cultural environment

We offer a competitive salary and opportunities for career growth and development. If you are a highly motivated and skilled scientist looking to join a dynamic and innovative team, please submit your CV.

Candidate needs to hold a Swiss working permit or be an EU citizen eligible to work in Switzerland. The work location is Allschwil, Switzerland with 2 days home office possibility.